Chapter One. Arnold Hugh Martin Jones (1904–1970)

Abstract

Arnold Hugh Martin Jones (1904?1970), ranks with the greatest Roman historians alongside such illustrious figures as Gibbon, Mommsen, and Bury. The chapters in this book are a tribute to the continued relevance and standing of his work and particularly of his magnum opus, The Later Roman Empire 284?602: A Social, Economic, and Administrative Survey. Jones? early experiences of archaeological work, teaching and travelling in the eastern Mediterranean imbued him with an interest in the ancient history of the region, and led him to view it as the centre of the Roman world. It was at UCL that Jones began in earnest the research which was to lead to the Later Roman Empire. In 1951, Jones exchanged London for Cambridge, succeeding Professor F.E. Adcock to the Chair of Ancient History and becoming a fellow of Jesus College. Unlike Rostovtzeff, Jones did not allow his politics to overtly influence his work.Keywords: Arnold Hugh Martin Jones (1904?1970); Cambridge; eastern Mediterranean; Gibbon; Jesus College; Later Roman Empire; Roman historian; Rostovtzeff; University College London (UCL)